Poorly maintained and inefficient workplaces are significantly undermining UK productivity, costing the economy an estimated £71.4 billion in GDP each year, according to new research.
The study, carried out by facilities transformation company Mitie, found that UK employees lose an average of 68 minutes per week on unproductive tasks due to inadequate workspace design and maintenance. This figure rises to 74 minutes for full-time workers.
These tasks include locating rooms with adequate Wi-Fi for meetings, dealing with slow lifts and struggling to find suitable collaborative spaces. When applied across the national workforce, this results in an estimated salary cost of £485.2 million each week.
Despite ongoing discussions about the UK’s long-standing productivity challenges, the issue of inefficient workplace infrastructure has received relatively little attention. In the first quarter of 2025, UK productivity – measured by output per hour worked – was 0.2 percent lower than the previous year. OECD data ranks the UK behind the United States, Germany and France for GDP per hour worked.
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Physical environment directly linked to job satisfaction
The research notes the importance of workplace conditions to employee morale and retention. Among those who reported satisfaction with their physical workplace, 89 percent also expressed satisfaction with their employer. In contrast, only 23 percent of workers dissatisfied with their environment reported satisfaction with their employer.
More than half of respondents (51%) identified poorly maintained workplaces as a primary cause of job dissatisfaction. A safe working environment was viewed as critical by 88 percent, while access to appropriate technology and a well-designed, comfortable office were seen as key factors by 83 percent and 75 percent respectively.
“Employers have a real opportunity to improve workspaces so they increase employee engagement, actively fuel productivity and drive innovation in a way that benefits the multi-generational workforce,” said Mark Caskey, Managing Director, Projects at Mitie. He added that many of the common frustrations employees face are fixable.
“Currently, across the UK, there are a number of friction points within office environments that adversely impact employee satisfaction which directly impacts productivity. But all is not lost, some are within the employer’s control, for example, ensuring that the right spaces for the right tasks are readily available, from collaborative through to quiet spaces, and that any tech is in full working order.”
Amenities secondary to core working conditions
Contrary to some assumptions about what drives office attendance, the survey found that social and recreational amenities play a relatively minor role in overall employee satisfaction. Only 29 percent of respondents cited amenities such as gyms or breakout areas as contributing meaningfully to their workplace experience, while 55 percent said social opportunities were a motivating factor for coming into the office.
Instead, the research suggests employees prioritise practical factors that support their ability to perform their jobs effectively. These include operational technology, reliable infrastructure and spaces designed to match the task at hand.
Caskey said that the relationship between the workplace and employee performance is now more important than ever.
“When workplaces are designed with people in mind and managed effectively, they become powerful enablers of collaboration and transformation, high in both productivity and satisfaction,” he said.
“People want to spend more time in them. People thrive, and communities benefit leading to a workforce that ultimately helps the economy gain critical momentum.”
Alessandra Pacelli is a journalist and author contributing to HRreview, where she covers topics including labour market trends, employment costs, and workplace issues.
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
